According to the Wall Streel Journal, Microsoft is waging opposition against the Google-Doubleclick deal. Top brass at Microsoft and hired PR guns are quietly campaigning to Internet companies, advertisers and regulators to oppose Google's planned $3.1 billion acquisition of DoubleClick. The PR firm Burson-Marsteller is the media voice for Microsoft to the media outlets and Internet companies on the alleged dangers of the deal, which would make Google's a potential monopoly with online advertising. Written statements to The Wall Street Journal by Burson claim the deal is part of a larger discussion on "fair and free competition" in Internet-search and privacy rights of consumers. Are the claims falling on deaf ears? It is not official that Burson is working for Microsoft but is sure seems apparent in this case.
More on Google, a new verticla ad system is being launched to drive online and offline sales. Google is building up a vertical marketing plan to create more effective online advertising through technology to help clients highlight as many of their assets as possible to drive online and offline sales. The executives at Google's vertical marketing team discussed ways Google is changing its advertising strategies to be more industry-specific, a departure from its past and current advertising plan, said Tim Armstrong, president of advertising and commerce, North America, for Google.